# Multistream
Source: [https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/gst-multi-stream-example.html](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/gst-multi-stream-example.html)
The **gst-multi-stream-example** application allows you to access several streams
from a single camera and either display them simultaneously on a screen or save them in MP4
format.
For example, you can use this application for a camera security system where the video is
captured from a camera. This video can be simultaneously streamed over a network,
displayed on a monitor, and archived for future review.
The figure shows the pipeline, which is run with flags to specify width, height, stream
count, and output file.
For more information, see [Pipeline flow](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/gst-multi-stream-example.html#gst-multi-stream-example__section_erp_x1y_nbc).
Figure : gst-multi-stream-example pipeline
## Prerequisites
- [Get started with the Qualcomm IM SDK](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-51/install-sdk.html)
for your Qualcomm Linux 1.5 or Ubuntu Server.
- Activate SSH on your Qualcomm Linux or Ubuntu to sign in with SSH and connect to
the target device. For instructions see:
- [Sign in using SSH](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-254/how_to.html#use-ssh) for Qualcomm
Linux
- [Sign in using SSH](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-90441-1/Use_Ubuntu_on_RB3_Gen2_3.html#sign-in-to-the-rb3-gen-2-console-using-ssh) for Ubuntu
Server
Note: If SSH is already set up and Wi-Fi is
connected, skip this step.
- Use the HDMI port to connect the display to the device. For instructions, see
[Set up HDMI display](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-18/samples.html).
- Sign in to the target device using SSH.
- In the terminal of the target device, run the following commands from the SSH
shell of the target device to activate the display on the host computer:
- For
Linux:
export XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/dev/socket/weston && export WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-1Copy to clipboard
- For Ubuntu Server:
export XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/run/user/$(id -u ubuntu)/ && export WAYLAND_DISPLAY=wayland-1 Copy to clipboard
- Connect the speaker to activate the audio on the target device. For
instructions, see [Set up audio hardware](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-16/enable-audio.html).
If you face
issues in recording the audio, run the following command in the terminal of
the target
device:
pactl set-default-source pal_source_speaker_micCopy to clipboard
- If you face issues with the camera or display, see [Camera troubleshooting](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-17/troubleshooting.html) and [Display troubleshooting](https://docs.qualcomm.com/bundle/publicresource/topics/80-70020-18/debug.html).
## Run the application
1. In the terminal of the target device, run the use
case:
gst-multi-stream-example -w 1920 -h 1080 -n 2Copy to clipboard
2. To stop the use case, use CTRL +
C.
3. In the terminal of the target device, run the following command in the SSH shell
to display the available help
options:
gst-multi-stream-example --helpCopy to clipboard
4. In the terminal of the host computer, run the following command to pull the
files from the target
device:
scp root@:/etc/media/Copy to clipboard
## Expected output
The output streams are displayed simultaneously on the screen or saved to a file.
Figure : Expected output for gst-multi-stream-example application - Preview
## Pipeline flow
The following table lists the plugins used in the multistream pipeline:
| Plugin | Description |
| --- | --- |
| [qtiqmmfsrc](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/qtiqmmfsrc.html) | Captures the video stream and feeds it into the capsfilter. |
| Capsfilter | Branches the source into two separate pipelines. In one pipeline, the output is sent to [Waylandsink](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/waylandsink.html) for display. |
| Capsfilter |
In the other pipeline, the video undergoes the following:
|
| | |
## Known issue
The default bit rate for the encoded video is configured to a low setting, leading to
reduced quality at higher resolutions.
**Parent Topic:** [Run sample applications for a camera](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-70020-50/topic/camera-sample-applications.html)
Last Published: Jan 30, 2026
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